Possible Armed Protests To Erupt Across 50 States, FBI Memo Warns Law Enforcement
A memo from the Federal Bureau of Investigation is cautioning law enforcement agencies of possible armed protests in all 50 state capital cities ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's Inauguration, according to a source obtained by Fox News.
The FBI said that they do not comment on "specific intelligence products" but said that FBI is backing the state, local, and federal law enforcement partners.
The FBI said that their efforts are focused on identifying, investigating, and disrupting individuals that are inciting violence and part of any criminal activity.
"As we do in the normal course of business, we are gathering information to identify any potential threats and are sharing that information with our partners. The FBI respects the rights of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights," the FBI was quoted on a report.
The FBI stated that they will be focusing on protesters threatening their safety and the safety of others through violence, as well as destruction of property.
Related story: Trump Concedes Election To Biden, Condemns Capitol Riot
The memo comes as the FBI received more than 40,000 digital media tips, which includes video and photos from the public about the participants in last week's Capitol riot.
FBI gathered the information inside the memo through the help of several agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Defense Department.
U.S. Park Police; and the U.S. Marshals Service also contributed to the information inside the FBI memo, among other agencies, according to an NBC News report.
A spokesman for the state Capitol Police, Scott Driscoll, said that they are monitoring the situation.
Alternative social media platforms, including Parler, have been full of revolutionary rhetoric including mentions of demonstrations on Jan. 17, threatening violence on Jan. 19, and discussions of violent activity on Jan. 20, which is the president elect's inauguration, as reported by CTPost.
In addition, users in the said platform have talked about bringing weapons to Washington and of violent demonstrations around the country.
Inside the FBI Memo
The FBI memo says that the agency received information on an identified group calling for others to join them in state, local, and federal government courthouses and administrative buildings in the event president of the U.S. is removed as president before the Inauguration Day.
Users have moved to other sites, such as Gab and Telegram after Parler was taken down by Amazon Web Services.
Proud Boys Chairman Enrique Tarrio touted Telegram as a "Parler Lifeboat," urging his followers to join and move the conversation there.
State Rep. Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford, said that they are aware of some of the proposed or planned events that might be taking place this coming Sunday.
Rojas is the newly named state House Majority Leader.
However, said that considering the pandemic, and that it is Sunday, he did not expect many staff or legislators to be at the state capitol.
Gov. Ned Lamont, meanwhile, said on Monday that he did not expect any violence in Hartford, while Sen. Chris Murphy said that he believed state and federal law enforcement agencies are updating one another.
Related story: Google, Apple Suspend 'Free Speech' Parler App in Wake of Capitol Riot
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!